South Dakota Turtles: Identification Guide With Pictures

Blanding's Turtle

Emydoidea blandingii

Conservation

SD Natural Heritage Program Rare Animals list: state rank SH (historically known, may be rediscovered; reviewed 04/17/1996)

False Map Turtle

Graptemys pseudogeographica

Painted Turtle

Chrysemys picta

Size

Small: adult shell usually 4 to 7 inches, up to about 10 inches; females are larger than males.

How to recognize it

• Smooth, fairly flat shell with no keel and a smooth (not saw-toothed) rear edge
• Red markings on the marginal shell plates
• Yellow spot behind each eye and yellow stripes on the chin

Full Painted Turtle guide

Smooth Softshell

Apalone mutica

Conservation

SD Natural Heritage Program Rare Animals list: state rank S3 (very rare and local or vulnerable; reviewed 02/10/2022)

Snapping Turtle

Chelydra serpentina

Size

Upper shell usually 8 to 14 inches, occasionally to nearly 20; usually 10 to 35 lb, occasionally to 75 lb in the wild.

How to recognize it

• Large head, long tail
• Saw-toothed scales on the long tail
• Small, cross-shaped lower shell

Full Snapping Turtle guide

Spiny Softshell

Apalone spinifera

Conservation

SD Natural Heritage Program Rare Animals list: state rank S3 (very rare and local or vulnerable; reviewed 02/10/2022)

Western (Ornate) Box Turtle

Terrapene ornata

Conservation

SD Natural Heritage Program Rare Animals list: state rank S3 (very rare and local or vulnerable; reviewed 07/27/2020)